Woman viciously attacked in broad daylight on St Stephen's Green

crime

General view of area behind fence at St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

General view of area behind fence at St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

An investigation has been launched after a woman was seriously assaulted in Dublin's best known park in broad daylight.

The attack - which happened at approximately 3.30pm in St Stephen's Green - was the second in the area in less than 12 hours.

In a separate incident a man is fighting for his life in hospital after he was allegedly assaulted in a one-punch attack outside the park near a Dublin nightclub just after 3am on Monday.

Just hours later, the woman was viciously set upon by a man inside the park.

Officers rushed to the scene and a man was arrested shortly after the attack. He is being held at Pearse Street Garda Station.

The woman was transferred to hospital, but the extent of her injuries are not yet known.

The area was sealed off as garda forensic officers carried out technical examinations.

Gardai were seen removing several bags of evidence, including a sports bag containing items including a sleeping bag.

Officers also searched the bushes near a path, eventually carrying out more plastic bags containing evidence.

The scene, on the north side of the park, was re-opened to the public shortly after 7.30pm.

In the other incident a man has been left fighting for his life. The 45-year-old is believed to have been punched once in the face. The man went crashing to the floor, smashing his head against the pavement.

General view of area behind fence at St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

Emergency services were called and the man was rushed to St James's Hospital. His condition worsened and he was transferred to Beamount Hospital, where he is being treated in the intensive care unit.

A source described the man's injuries as being "very worrying", adding that he had suffered serious head injuries.

"The man suffered swelling and bleeding to the brain after the attack," the source said.

"His condition deteriorated fairly rapidly early yesterday morning and so a decision was made to transfer him to Beamount Hospital. It looks like it was a one-punch attack, but unfortunately the man was hit quite hard and ended up hitting his head against the pavement," the source added.

No arrests have yet been made, and gardai from Pearse Street Garda Station are investigating.